Special Needs

What is Angelman Syndrome? Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 live births. Angelman syndrome is often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism due to lack of awareness. Characteristics of the disorder include...

Two years ago this month, we received a call that changed our lives. After months of failed milestones and a barrage of testing, our fears and worry over our baby girl’s health received a name: Angelman Syndrome. Learning your child’s...

I have this amazing friend who just gets it. She invites us to sensory-safe places, schedules mom dates when our husbands are free to watch the kids, and doesn't expect anything from me or my son but friendship. She sends...

  A couple weeks ago, I was that mom. The one filling your news feed with cute kid pictures, celebration (ala the world series), and general happiness...while actually having the worst week EVER. Now that the election is over, I think a lot of us...

Can your baby breathe all through the night? Can he nap without life support? Does her little body do the involuntary things necessary to survive sleep? I pray that it’s so for you. It’s not like that for Ian. This dapper...

I write this not for pity but for acceptance. I kept this quiet because I didn't want pity. I've come to a point where keeping quiet doesn't help, and honestly I'm tired of being quiet. My son has Autism. We knew...

I'd heard of the NICU. I knew some NICU nurses and friends whose child had spent time there. And when my first two kids were born, I remember nurses making vague reference to the 3rd floor, but I never saw it. I'm fairly sure...

Vacationing with a toddler is daunting; add a few special needs into the mix and it can be downright frightening. My husband and I have gone on a few vacations with our three and a half year old ball...

Before I had kids, I traveled a lot. My goal was to pack light, walk fast, and take the trip of a lifetime at least every other year, and that’s pretty much what I did. It wasn't even a...

Let me clarify...I have a toddler. I could literally end this post now, because if you have a toddler, or have been through this weird twilight zone then you know what I'm talking about. Our daughter is three, and right in...

Feather mobile from Brent Forsyth, Sunsetdriftwood on Etsy When you have a baby, I’ve been told, life becomes like a fast-spinning mobile hanging above the crib. At first, it spins off balance, slows to a wobble and then balances out....

As a kid, I remember one particular Easter egg hunt. Even at six years old, I was so competitive. I ran past all the little eggs scattered across the church property underneath all the pine trees, I only wanted...

The bond of motherhood is strong. Of course there's a bond with our children, that goes without saying...but there's also a bond amongst other mothers. Like a code...a look. We understand when we see a mom looking frazzled at Target...